Catch Me If You Can
Chapter Ten ll Many Random Acts
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Lily was flying down a stone corridor. Well, not exactly flying -- as in on a broomstick, but James and Sirius felt that, if she could have flown on a broomstick to Dumbledore's office, she would have.
The boys found it surprisingly hard to keep up with Lily as she flew -- I mean, as she ran. She ran like a deer, and seemed to have amazing cardio vascular fitness.
"Lily, can you puh-lease slow down?" Sirius panted, as he tried and failed to run next to Lily.
"No -- this is critical!"
"So are our lungs," James murmured, clutching at his side.
"Pretend this is excercise," Lily said simply, while running a few feet ahead of them.
The boys glanced at each other darkly.
"Can't you just tell us what you saw?" James said hopefully.
"You'll hear when I tell Dumbledore."
"We may have ran out of oxygen by that time," Sirius stated breathlessly.
Lily stopped suddenly in front of a gargoyle, taking both Sirius and James by surprise. They halted suddenly, but slipped and fell over each other's feet.
"Merlin, you guys are walking disasters," Lily helped Sirius up, "Are you okay?"
James nodded grudgingly.
The redhead turned back to the gargoyle, "Lemon sherbet."
A staircase began to revolve up, and Lily beckoned the boys onto it.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Sirius said nervously.
"You won't die, I promise," Lily said loftily.
When the staircase stopped, they stumbled into the office. It was empty.
Lily groaned, "Where could he be?"
"Well I'm not running around anymore," Sirius said, flopping into a chintz armchair, obviously flustered.
"Yeah, we'll just wait for him here, then," James agreed, also sitting in a chair, "Now tell us what you saw."
Sirius looked back up intently.
Lily sighed, then dropped into a seat a few inches away from James.
"Alright..." she said, taking a deep breath, "Well..."
---
'What the--? Nooo, not again. Curse my Wiccanness...'
'I wonder why Potter can't get these premonitiony things...'
She looked at the scene before her, and stared. It was one of Hogwarts' many corridors, and there was a redheaded girl walking by herself.
'Good Lord, is that me?!'
Lily Evans watched as -- well, Lily Evans walked down the corridor, obviously to ... classes?
A floating pumpkin caught the real Lily's eye, and it hit her...
'...A pumpkin... Halloween!'
She continued to watch herself in awe. She also wondered how she couldn't recall walking to classes on Halloween, it didn't seem common that she would forget such things...
Quite suddenly, someone (or something) completely dressed in black, including a black hood that covered their face, stalked out from around a corner. Lily watched in horror as the black-hooded person crept up behind her... behind her other self, and suddenly grabbed her arm.
Lily stared, wide-eyed, as she saw the evil, evil, evil person pour something yellow from a vile down her throat.
'Ah...ah...AHH! This is getting too creepy... I don't like to think that I just got something random poured down my throat... Holy hell, why don't I remember any of this?!!'
The other Lily had slid onto stone ground, obviously unconscious. The person in the black cloak had taken out their wand, and directed it at Lily's body. They murmured something, and quite suddenly, she gained consciousness again.
Lily didn't seem to notice the person completely dressed in black beside her, as she picked up her book bag and continued to walk, as if nothing had happened at all.
The real Lily was in utmost terror.
'Okay... I was walking to classes... then someone made me drink some sort of potion... then I fell unconscious... then they made me conscious again... and then -- what?! This makes no sense! That potion could've been poison for I know! And who knows when it'll take effect? Oh my God, I'm going to die!!!'
All sorts of hysterical thoughts raced through her mind. And then she remembered something.
Halloween... she had been... poisoned? On Halloween... James' pie!
So it hadn't been his pie that was poisoned.
'Well, at least I'm still alive.'
Contented with this thought, Lily saw the scene disperse, and she was back in her own time again.
"Welcome back," James said loftily, "Did you see anything interesting?"
Hell yeah...
"I know who poisoned me on Halloween."
---
Sirius gaped at Lily as she finished her story. James plunged into details at once.
"Did you see the guy's face?" he asked.
"Nope, they had a black hood on that covered it."
"I wonder how it got into Hogwarts... there are ancient spells, you know, and you can't apparate or disapparate within this castle," Sirius looked thoughtful.
"That's why I need to see Dumbledore," Lily shuddered, "I mean, it could get back in here again, and we might not be so lucky next time..."
"But it happened ages ago. At Halloween, and that was like two months ago," James argued, "And still, no one's been hurt yet."
"Yet," Sirius said slowly, "It could happen again. Wow, this is creepy. Are you okay Lily?"
For Lily was trembling and had turned a deathly pale. She drew her knees up to her chin, so that she was curled up into a tight ball.
"I just with Anna and Paige were here," she said quietly, avoiding the boys' gaze.
Sirius feigned shock, "Aren't we good company?"
James pretended to cry, "She dwoesn't wuv us."
The redhead chuckled, "It's not that... I need feminine company too."
"Hmm yeah, I understand," Sirius said with a little sigh, "I wonder when Dumbledore's going to come back..."
"How about now?"
The three turned around and saw the tall elderly figure of Dumbledore standing there, smiling.
And of course, all three began yelling at once.
"Professor, I--"
"Lily, she got a--"
"There was a black--"
"My dear children, please settle down. Be seated," Professor Dumbledore smiled warmly, and his soft words may have been harsh, shouted words for all the effect it had on Sirius, James and Lily. They sat back down at once and stayed silent.
Dumbledore walked back to his desk and sat on his chair. He drummed his fingers rhythmically, then looked at the children.
"Now, what may I do for you three?"
"I got another premonition," Lily said quietly.
The boys nodded.
Dumbledore surveyed her, "And what did you see, Miss Evans?"
"Well -- uh -- it was kind of the past," Lily said uncomfortably, "And -- well, you know how I was -- how I was poisoned on Halloween?"
He nodded, listening intently.
"Well, I saw myself -- getting poisoned," Lily realised how farfetched that had sounded, but decided to continue on, "It was this person in a black cloak and a black hood, and they poured some sort of potion, I think, down my throat."
"What else happened?"
"Uhh, I became unconscious after that, but then they cast a spell on me, I think, and I gained consciousness at once and began walking again, as if nothing had happened at all. And I didn't remember any of this," Lily said.
Dumbledore stayed silent so that it made her and the boys feel nervous.
"I think I will explain the term Wiccan, seeing as it may affect your lives," he finally said, "And it may help you understand what you see in your premonition, Miss Evans."
Sirius decided that this was his cue to leave. He stood up.
"I suppose I'll leave then..."
"No, no, that won't be neccessary," Dumbledore said at once, "However, you may leave if you wish, Mr Black."
Sirius considered this for a second, before sitting back down awkwardly.
"Wiccans are very powerful witches or wizards. They can perform magic without using a wand," Dumbledore started lightly.
James' eyes widened, and Lily listened with interest.
"Each Wiccan has powers. Different from each others' of course. This power of theirs will be projected through emotion, until they can learn to control it," he continued.
"Is it a good thing that I recieve premonitions?" Lily asked doubtfully.
Dumbledore nodded at once, "It is a very good thing, Miss Evans. If you hadn't recieved them, Miss Leonhart that other day may not be alive and healthy today. But I hear that you always collapse when you recieve one."
Lily nodded.
"That isn't at all surprising," said Dumbledore carelessly, "At your age, I wonder how you manage to cope..."
Everything was quiet again.
"Anyway, I think your powers should remain unknown. It is simply chance and perhaps luck that we have found out one of Miss Evans', but it won't be wise to see the other one of yours, Miss Evans, and Mr Potter's."
"Why?" Sirius wanted to know.
Dumbledore paused. He looked at the innocent children in front of them. It's the only way... He sighed.
"Have you heard of the new dark wizard?"
They shook their heads slowly.
Dumbledore sighed again, "His name is Lord Voldemort, and indeed, he is quite powerful. There are only a few wizards in the world that may stop him in the near future. Mr Potter, Miss Evans, you are two of them."
Lily and James looked blank.
"You see, you two are the only remaining Wiccans we have. And -- and I won't be surprised if he wants to get a hold of you two."
Lily turned pale again, and James sat rigidly. Sirius glanced at them cautiously.
"Please do not be alarmed, you are quite safe at Hogwarts. Lord Voldemort is not able to track you two down, anyhow."
James thought for a second, and a new fear stabbed him.
"Professor, are you saying that the person who poisoned Lily was Lord Voldemort?!" he exclaimed, looking scared.
"Ahhh, Mr Potter. I am sure that Lord Voldemort would not dare venture into Hogwarts grounds -- for reasons best to remain unknown," Dumbledore was examining his fingernails with interest, "He must have sent one of his few followers that he is gathering."
And there was silence again.
"Wait a second," Sirius spoke up, he was frowning but looked thoughtful at the same time, "You said he couldn't track them down -- yet he tracked Lily down -- how does that work?"
Dumbledore looked pleased, "Whenever Miss Evans uses her power, it leaves a mark. A mark that he can sense, and that way, can track her down. This is why their powers should remain unknown."
They nodded slowly. A big responsibility seemed to loom ahead of Lily and James.
"Now," he checked the grandfather clock, "I think you had best skip off to breakfast. Oh! Another thing, your powers shall be bound, so that any risk of what happened on Halloween will disperse."
Dumbledore took some powder from a pot, and threw it into the crackling fireplace.
"Alyssa Flash!"
Professor Flash's, the Potions Mistress, head appeared in the fire. She looked confused, "Good morning Professor Dumbledore."
"Good morning Alyssa, we have encountered two young Wiccans here. Will you be so kind as to prepare two Power Binding Potions?" Dumbledore asked, sounding almost casual.
Professor Flash's eyes widened in shock, "Wiccans?! Well I never! Who are they?"
"Miss Evans and Mr Potter," Professor Dumbledore looked amused, "And my apologies for interrupting your breakfast."
"No, no, not at all!" Professor Flash still seemed shocked, "Yes Professor -- I will have the potions brewed up as soon as possible."
And with a pop, her head disappeared.
Dumbledore turned back to the three surprised children.
"You may now go down and have some breakfast. Sorry to hold you up. Happy Christmas!"
He handed candy canes to the bewildered three, who accepted them with a thank you and a happy Christmas. Then they walked down to the Great Hall dazedly.
"Whoa, that was weird!" exclaimed James, righting his glasses and brushing some black hair out of his brown eyes, "And kind of scary as well."
"Tell me about it," Lily looked a little nervous.
Sirius seemed more surprised than the two Wiccans, "Too bad you don't get to keep your powers. Imagine all the really cool stuff you could do with them!"
Lily shuddered, "I'd rather not keep them."
"Yeah," James agreed, gazing up at the sky in the Great Hall.
It was a grey day, and snow was falling lightly.
"What a wonderful Christmas," James said dully, picking up his fork.
---
A couple of days later, at breakfast, the Power Binding Potions were brought to Lily and James.
They were both having a Potter-Evans argument, with Sirius shovelling down bacon and eggs, when they were interrupted.
"Potions here!" exclaimed a cheery voice.
They turned around and saw their beaming Potions teacher holding two steaming goblets.
Shaking a little bit, Lily and James took the goblets, then stared at each other while Professor Flash bidded them goodbye and left.
"Who's going first?" James asked innocently.
Lily glared at him, and faced the steaming goblet. It smelt foul.
She held it up to her mouth, and even residing students turn to look in interest.
After taking a sip, Lily's face turned a nasty shade of fushcia, that did not appeal nicely to her red hair.
"Ew yuck that was unimaginably seedy!" she cried, looking disgusted.
Sirius began laughing, and James looked a little less pleased.
"Drink it, drink it," Sirius began chanting, looking at Lily with interest.
With a glare at him, the redhead pinched her nose and gulped down the rest of the potion regretfully. She swallowed and gasped for air.
James and Sirius both watched her. She suddenly went rigid and dropped her goblet so that it fell with a clatter on the floor.
"I'm going to be sick," she gasped, rushing out of the Great Hall.
"Well that went well," Sirius said with a chuckle, picking up his fork again.
James looked particularly pale. He held his breath, held the goblet to his lips and downed it all in one go.
Sirius looked up and watched his best friend in amusement.
James lowered the goblet, his face going an odd orange colour.
"I'm going to be sick as well," he choked, dropping the goblet and running off.
"There are some disadvantages of being a Wiccan," grinned Sirius, as he helped himself to some more toast.
---
Soon, Christmas break was over. Anna, Paige, Remus and Peter returned. Easter drew nearer, and exams did too. Everyone began working extra hard, and they were found studying in the common-room and library, up until late hours.
"Lily, can you help me revise for Charms?" Anna asked anxiously, looking worried. It was evening, and many of the students in the common-room were not playing Exploding Snap or Gobstones like usual.
"Sorry Anna, why don't you ask Paige?" Lily said distractedly, her eyes focusing on a page about Shrinking Potions.
"Paige--"
"Sorry -- I can't, I need to pass our Herbology exam," Paige said with a sigh.
Anna clicked her tongue impatiently. At that moment, James, Sirius, Remus and Peter climbed into the common-room via the Fat Lady.
"Heya girls, guess what?" Sirius said happily to the three who were perched in a corner, studying.
"One of you is going to help me study for our Charms exam?" Anna asked hopefully.
"You will leave me alone if you don't want any of your body parts removed?" Lily said threateningly, still looking at the passage about Shrinking Potions.
"That you will have this over and done with as soon as possible?" Paige asked irritably.
"Ooh, touchy," James said with a mischievous grin, "But you're all wrong!"
"But I'll help you, Anna," spoke up Remus.
"Thanks Remus."
"Yes now anyway," Sirius looked impatient, "We--" he gestured to himself, James, Peter and Remus, "--are now known as the Marauders."
He beamed proudly, and he and the others struck a pose that made Paige burst out laughing.
Lily had finally looked up, and she raised her eyebrows, "That was highly random."
"Well, we got tired of saying James, Sirius, Remus and Peter. It took too long, so we got ourselves a group name. The Marauders," James grinned furthermore.
"Oh, this is hilarious," Paige was still laughing.
The smiles and raised arms drooped.
"Don't you like it?" pouted Sirius.
"It's -- it's nice," Anna said, putting her head down and trying not to laugh.
The three girls glanced at each other, then cracked up laughing, earning a few glares from people who were studying in the common-room.
"Hey! It took us ages to come across that name! You'd better not make fun of it!" James exclaimed warningly.
"Oh, we won't," Lily gasped through her laughter.
"Hmpph, good."
---
"Well, I can finally relax," sighed Lily, as they strolled down a corridor, "Our last exam. Defense Against the Dark Arts. I hope I went okay."
"You'll do fine, as always," said Paige, looking out at the sun shining on the green grass outside.
"I'm sure we'll all do fine," said Anne with confidence.
They had only walked a few more steps when Sirius caught up with them.
"Hello there," he wrapped his arms around Paige and gave her a peck on her cheek. The brunette blushed.
"Hi Sirius, how did you think you went?" Lily asked him.
"I don't wanna think about it. I'm free, free, free-e-e-ee-ee!" He did a few cartwheels and almost knocked over Professor McGonagall, who began screaming at him.
James and Peter hurried up to the girls.
"Isn't it nice to think that the exams are all over? Especially the Charms one?" James asked mischievously.
Lily chuckled.
"Hey, where's Remus?" Paige asked, "Haven't seem him all day, 'smatter of fact."
"He had to go and visit his mother. I think she's really sick, because Rem was really nervous when he told us," James watched Sirius get in trouble with amusement.
"That will be another detention, Black!" Professor McGonagall's shrieks were loud, "That's three in a week! When will you learn?"
"I'm sorry sir -- ma'am," Sirius said innocently. He was going for a goal of five hundred detentions.
With another furious look at him, McGonagall hurried away back to the staffroom.
Anna sighed, "I agree with McGonagall, will Sirius ever learn?"
"I really wouldn't have high hopes on that."
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---->A/N: Psycho, wacky Sirius! --MSQ.